Fans Brave High Temps to Catch KATSEYE, XG and More at Head In The Clouds Music Festival

88 Rising’s Head in the Clouds returned to Pasadena’s Brookside at the Rose Bowl on August 8, 2026. The festival, a celebration of Asian music, brought global superstars XG, KATSEYE, rapper Dabin.Kr, Indonesian pop group no na, K-pop group LNGSHOT and more to the Los Angeles stage.

The festival, beginning in 2018, and spanning across Los Angeles, New York and Indonesia has made some changes over the years, this year’s bringing a stark contrast to years prior. Normally a two day Los Angeles festival, its usual large stages including catwalks with three dimensional stage design (usually featuring their mascot CLO), and large photo op installations were now condensed to one day, a rather barren main stage and a lonely bus as a photo op. As most people packed tightly toward the main stage, it left much of the festival grounds uncovered. The Music Den stage lay tucked away in a corner, where if you didn’t know it was there you could easily miss it.

As doors opened at 1PM, fans raced across the festival grounds to secure a spot at the barricade. Japanese boy group ONE OR EIGHT opened the festival, also promptly at 1PM, leaving many who were there to see the group either miss their ten-minute set entirely or arrive late to the stage. The group, consisting of Souma, Mizuki, Tsubasa, Reia, Ryota, Takeru, Yuga, and Neo rode full speed into hit hip-hop track “TOKYO DRIFT,” and their latest release “YANKEE SQUAT.”

Get on the angok! With another vehicular hit, Indonesian girl group no na hyped the crowd with dance-pop “honk!” off their upcoming full length album, island girl. LNGSHOT made their way through the crowd, exciting fans who had been waiting all day to see them – many sporting hand made signs and curated outfits dedicated to their favorite members. Though just rookies, the four member group, produced by Jay Park, has taken global audiences by storm with tracks like “Moonwalkin” and “Saucin’.” 

With high anticipation, Dabin.Kr, previously known as DPR Live, took the stage. “Tonight, you’re meeting Dabin.Kr” he told the crowd. Just as the sun was beginning to set, Dabin opened up to the audience about the struggles he has faced the last several years and his journey of starting over, stating “a lot of us here right now, are still trying to figure ourselves out.” 

“Who’s still sleeping on XG?” asks the global group before launching into their hit track “WOKE UP.” Seven member Japanese group XG turned HITC into their very own mini concert. Appearing atop a large scaffolding set and accompanied by a full band, the group performed songs like dance track “GALA,” and slower hip-hop number “PS118” before closing with a rock-infused version of  “SHOOTING STAR.” 

Who knew HITC was for kids? Many children filled the audience, their parents bringing them to risk heat stroke to catch a glimpse of their favorite girl group KATSEYE. With scorching temperatures and packed crowds, (the festival needed to provide free water to attendees, many stationed in large ice buckets just to keep it cool) along with people passing out left and right, this seemed like a less than ideal space for children. Many parents took off like Olympic sprinters, children in tow, to sardine themselves into the already tightly stuffed crowd as soon as XG left the stage. Many fans were visibly frustrated as parents tossed their children up on their shoulders, blocking the view of fans who had waited all day in the blazing sun to secure their spot earlier in the day.

KATSEYE, performing as four, opened with upbeat “Pinky Up!” before launching into 2024 debut release “Debut.” It’s hard to believe the group has only been around for two years, as they’ve amassed a worldwide fandom and have become a household name in a short time. Marking their second time as festival headliners were members Lara, Yoonchae, Megan and Daniela. Just several days prior, Sophia announced she would be on hiatus from the group to focus on mental health. The announcement follows Manon’s announced hiatus from the group back in February. Will she ever come back? We may honestly never know.

KATSEYE closed out the festival with viral sensation “GNARLY,” full dance break included.

A day full of music, art and culture concluded on an explosive high. With a diverse lineup, audiences were left adding new songs to their queues and left singing some of their favorites. Packed exits and lengthy chaotic parking lines left fans with plenty of time to relive the memories they made throughout the day. 

Check out our favourite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

KATSEYE

XG

DABIN.KR

LNGSHOT

TIFFANY DAY

KIIKII

NO NA

WARREN HUE

BE:FIRST

FESTIVAL

All Photo Credit: Rebecca Rowe / @rowetookthese

The Prudential Center was absolutely buzzing as it hosted the much-anticipated HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026, a classic highlight of New York’s summer music scene. This event is all about bringing together the best of the best in hip hop, rap, and R&B, creating a stage where both rising stars and seasoned veterans can shine.

This year’s lineup was stacked, featuring big names like French Montana, Max B, DaBaby, and G Herbo, promising to be “the biggest party ever to hit an arena.” To keep the party jumping, Hot 97 enlisted the help of legendary on-air personalities Funkmaster Flex, Nessa, and the Mornings with Mero team. As anticipated, the lineup drew a packed house, completely selling out the venue.

Hip Hop heads can go all the way back to the 90s to see just why something like this matters so much to the culture. Over the years, HOT 97 Summer Jam has given us unforgettable moments, from sparking epic rap feuds to reuniting legendary groups. This year was no different, packed with standout highlights. It’s not false advertising to say something iconic will happen on a Summer Jam stage – it’s expected.

One of the biggest moments of the night was Fetty Wap‘s homecoming. The crowd went wild for hits like “679” and “My Way,” though he had to cut his set short because of time limits. As the show rolled on, Yung Miami brought the energy with her summer banger “Spend Dat,” even tossing stacks of cash into the audience, causing a frenzy with everyone trying to stuff their pockets. Emerging artists were also front and center, like Zeddy Will, who energized the crowd from the upper bowl. DaBaby also brought his infectious energy to the crowd as he ran through his catalog, connecting with the fans in a unique way that really elevated the atmosphere.

On a sultry R&B vibe, Mariah the Scientist performed hits like “Is It a Crime” and “Burning Blue,” showcasing her killer stage presence and stunning vocals. The night wrapped up with French Montana, who brought out Max B and Remy Ma to help perform nostalgic Coke Boys favorites like “Unforgettable,” “Stay Schemin,” and “Ever Since You Left Me.” Despite their busy schedules with tours and new music releases, it’s great to see these artists giving back to the culture. They provided fans with a taste of their musical talents while solidifying their place in Summer Jam history. The surprise guests who were not listed on the lineup truly made this showcase unforgettable. We had the chance to see Lola Brooke, Fat Joe, and the entire cast of Zeus Network’s hit show, The Baddies. It truly was the hottest ticket of the weekend.

I just wished we could have partied a little longer. Some acts were unable to hit the stage for the final curtain, but on all accounts, the Hot 97 team delivered a show they can be proud of. HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026 left everyone hyped. Funkmaster Flex hosted the night flawlessly, keeping the energy high and the transitions smooth between acts. You can bet that the fans are already hyped for what next year has in store, eagerly locked into Hot 97 on the radio for the next Summer Jam lineup. I’ll be looking out for that announcement too; I know they are already cooking for 2027.

Check out our favorite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

All Photo Credit: @GALLERYBYTM | Anthony Grant Photography